Doll having hand-assemblable costume

ABSTRACT

A toilet paper roll cover or a bank appears like a doll with a dress, with a hollow cylinder having an open bottom and a conical upper section and a human figurine portion removably attached to the top of the conical upper section with a plurality of first portions of hook and loop fasteners attached to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder and a plurality of ribbons loops attached to the first portions by a plurality of second portions of hook and loop fasteners to form the dress.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of the filing date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/659,687, filed Mar. 8, 2005, entitled “Doll Having Hand-Assemblable Loop-Based Costume, the disclosure of which is herby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to dolls having hand-assemblable costumes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Dolls and doll assemblages provide entertainment value to doll enthusiasts. Entertainment value of dolls has been enhanced by incorporating special features into the doll, such as means for talking, means for moving, means for blinking, etc. While these features provide entertainment to some doll enthusiasts, these features have no allure for doll enthusiasts interested in home crafts. There is need for an entertaining doll for those doll enthusiasts interested in assembling dolls from doll assemblages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a doll which may be used to conceal a toilet paper roll or a book of coins or for other purposes. The doll preferably includes a hollow cylinder having an outer surface, a bottom, and preferably a conical top section. The doll also includes a human figurine portion preferably removably attached to the hollow cylinder. The doll preferably includes various costume parts removably attached by hook and loop fasteners to the hollow cylinder and the human figurine portion.

Each hook and loop fastener preferably includes a first fastener portion and second fastener portion complementing the first fastener portion. Both fastener portions preferably include an adhesive side for adhering to costume parts and other components of the doll. One of the fastener portions preferably includes a plurality of loops, while the other fastener portion preferably includes a plurality of hooks.

The doll may function as a toilet paper roll cover, in which case the hollow cylinder includes an open bottom allowing the hollow cylinder to cover a toilet paper roll. The doll may also function as a bank, in which case the hollow cylinder may include a closed bottom and an aperture for deposit of coins therein. In both of these embodiments of the doll, folded ribbons are preferably removably attached to the hollow cylinder by the hook and loop fasteners. The folded ribbons preferably appear like a dress when attached to the hollow cylinder.

Another aspect of the invention includes a doll assemblage having costume parts for forming a doll. The doll assemblage preferably includes a human figurine portion and a hollow cylinder having a bottom, an outer surface, and a conical top section. The doll assemblage preferably also includes ribbon for forming a waistband and ribbon for forming folded ribbons constituting a portion of the dress of the doll. The doll assemblage preferably may also include costume parts, such as a hat, model flowers, and fabric for forming a blouse. The doll assemblage preferably includes hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching the costume parts to the human figurine portion and hollow cylinder.

Yet another aspect of the invention includes a doll having a body preferably adapted to conceal either a toilet paper roll or coins. The body preferably includes a hollow cylinder having an outer surface, a bottom, a conical top, and a human figurine portion extending from the conical top and having a torso, arms, and a head.

The doll may serve as a toilet paper cover, in which case the hollow cylinder includes an open bottom allowing the hollow cylinder to cover a roll of toilet paper. The doll may also function as a bank, in which case the hollow cylinder includes a closed bottom and an aperture for deposit of coins therein. In both of these embodiments of the doll, flower petals are preferably attached to the hollow cylinder by the strips of double-sided adhesive foam tape. The flower petals preferably appear like a dress or at least a portion of a dress, such as a skirt, when attached to the hollow cylinder. Costume parts and/or flower petals may also be attached to other portions of the doll preferably by pieces of double-sided adhesive foam tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a front view of a doll embodying aspects of the invention, with the doll costume having six layers of folded ribbons.

FIG. 1 b is a set of front, left side, front and bottom views showing the human figurine portion and the detachable hollow cylinder of the doll shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 c is a plan view in schematic form showing fabric for forming the blouse of the doll shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 d is a schematic elevation showing the position of hook and loop fasteners on the outer surface of the hollow cylinder of the doll shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 e is an isometric view of one of the folded ribbons forming the costume of the doll shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a doll assemblage for forming the doll shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing step 205 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing step 210 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing step 215 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing step 220 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing step 225 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing step 230 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing step 235 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing step 240 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing step 245 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing step 250 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing step 255 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing step 260 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing step 265 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing step 270 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view showing step 275 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing step 280 of the method for forming a doll from a doll assemblage.

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing a doll in accordance with the invention having a body, flower petals, and strips of double-sided adhesive foam tape adhering the flower petals to the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE KNOWN FOR PRACTICE OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 a through 1 e, a doll manufacturing aspects of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is designated generally 100. Doll 100 includes a hollow bullet-shaped cylinder 110 and a human figurine torso portion 120, as illustrated in FIG. 1 b. Hollow cylinder 110 preferably includes a bottom 112, a conical upper section 113, a top 114, and an outer surface 116. In one implementation of the invention hollow cylinder 110 is about nine and three-quarter (9.75) inches high and bottom 112 is about five and one-quarter (5.25) inches in diameter. In other implementations, hollow cylinder 110 and bottom 112 may have any suitable dimensions as long as the human figure appearance is reasonably maintained.

Bottom 112 may be open or closed. Bottom 112 is open in the version of doll 100 which may be used as a toilet paper roll cover while bottom 112 is closed in the view of doll 100 which is used as a bank. When doll 100 is a bank, hollow cylinder 110 has an aperture (not shown) for the deposit of coins therein.

Human figurine portion 120 preferably includes a head 127, a torso 123, and arms 125. Head 127 preferably includes hair, eyes, and other features for increasing the realism of doll 100. Head 127 is preferably about two and seven-tenths (2.7) inches in height; however, head 127 may have any suitable dimensions. Conical top section 114 of hollow cylinder 110 is preferably externally threaded and human figurine portion 120 is removably attached thereto via internal threads.

Referring to FIGS. 1 a, 1 d and 1 e, doll 100 preferably also includes folded ribbons 140 and a plurality of preferably hook and loop fasteners 130. Each hook and loop fastener 130 preferably includes a first fastener portion 130 a and a second fastener portion 130 b, one of which includes a plurality of hooks and the other of which includes a plurality of loops. Hook and loop fasteners 130 removably attach folded ribbons 140 to outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110.

Doll 100 preferably also includes fabric 160, a waistband 170, and a hat 180. Hook and loop fasteners 130 preferably also removably attach fabric 160 and hat 180 to human figurine portion 120. Hook and loop fasteners 130 further preferably also secure waistband 170 around a lower section of human figurine portion 120.

As shown in FIG. 1 d, four strips of either the hook portions or the loop portions of hook and loop fasteners 130 are annularly positioned on outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110. Each of these four strips 130 is preferably five-eighths (0.625) of an inch wide; however, each of the four strips 130 may have any suitable width. For example, width may be reduced to increase the number of strips 130 fitting on outer surface 116.

The length of each of these four strips 130 is preferably six (6) to seven (7) inches, twelve (12) to fourteen (14) inches, sixteen (16) to sixteen and one-half (16.5) inches, and seventeen (17) inches, respectively, from the top strip 130 to the bottom strip 130 viewed in FIG. 1 d. A doll may include any number of strips 130 on outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110. For example, doll 100 shown in FIG. 1 a includes six (6) strips 130.

As shown in FIG. 1 a, ribbons 140 create the appearance of a dress having downwardly cascading layers by adhering to the outwardly facing adhesive sides of the strips of fasteners 130 on outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110. Fabric 160, positioned on human figurine portion 120, forms the appearance of a blouse. Waistband 170 wraps around a lower section of human figurine portion 120. Hat 180 sits on head 127.

Ribbons 140 may be provided in the form of closed loops as illustrated generally in FIG. 1 e. In such case, a portion of either the hook part or the loop part of a fastener 130 is attached to the closed loop of ribbon. In FIG. 1 e the attached portion of fastener 130 is a loop portion 130 b. It is immaterial as to whether the attached portion of fastener 130 affixed to a ribbon loop 140 is a hook portion 130 a or a loop portion 130 b.

Alternatively, ribbon loops 140 may be provided in form to be assembled from a strip of ribbon, with a hook portion 130 a of a fastener 130 provided on one end of the strip of ribbon and a loop portion 130 b of fastener 130 provided at the other end of the strip of ribbon. In such event, a strip of ribbon may be assembled into a closed loop 140 of ribbon by rolling the ribbon into a loop shape and pressing the hook portion 130 a of a fastener 130 against the loop portion 130 b of a fastener 130. Of course, when the ribbons are supplied as strips, the respective hook 130 a and loop 130 b portions are at respective opposite ends of the ribbon strip and positioned on opposite sides of the ribbon strip to facilitate forming the ribbon into a loop by securing the ends of the ribbon together. In such case, the hook 130 a or loop by portion may be provided in a length exceeding the complemental hook 130 a or loop 130 b portion so that the excess of the hook 130 a or loop 130 b portion may be used to secure the ribbon loop 140 to a corresponding complemental hook or loop portion defining a fastener strip 130 as illustrated in FIG. 1 d.

Referring to FIG. 2 in another one of its aspects of the invention includes a doll assemblage 100 a containing costume parts for forming a doll 100. Doll assemblage 100 a includes hollow cylinder 110 having bottom 112, conical upper section 114, and an outer surface 116. Doll assemblage 100 a also includes human figurine portion 120 having torso 123, arms 125, and head 127. Doll assemblage 100 a further includes hook and loop fasteners 130 provided in the form of rolls (not shown) of fastener first or hook portions 130 a and rolls (not shown) of fastener second or loop portions 130 b. Doll assemblage 100 preferably includes rolls (not shown) of ribbon for forming folded or looped ribbons 140. Doll assemblage 100 a preferably also includes fabric 160, hat 180, and model flowers 190. As discussed above, bottom 112 may be open or closed and hollow cylinder 110 may have an aperture formed therein.

FIGS. 3 through 18 show the steps of a preferred method for assembling the costume parts for doll similar to doll 100. For step 205 shown in FIG. 3, a doll enthusiast places a six (6) inch by six (6) inch square of fabric 160 on a table with the printed design-side of fabric 160 facing toward the table and folds fabric 160 in half, from top to bottom, and then from one side, to the other side to form a small square. For step 210 shown in FIG. 4, the doll enthusiast identifies two points on fabric 160 by measuring one-half (0.5) inch from a corner in the vertical direction and by measuring one-half (0.5) inch from the same corner in the horizontal direction. The doll enthusiast then marks a diagonal line between the two points using a ruler.

For step 215 shown in FIG. 5, the doll enthusiast cuts a corner from fabric 160 along the diagonal line. For step 220 shown in FIG. 6, the doll enthusiast opens fabric 160 from the folded position to reveal a diamond-shaped hole in the center of fabric 160. The doll enthusiast then places fabric 160 on an ironing board with the design-side facing downward and folds the two opposing sides of fabric 160 towards the diamond-shaped hole in the center of fabric 160. The doll enthusiast then irons the folded sides of fabric 160 flat to meet the edges of the diamond-shaped hole.

For step 225 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the doll enthusiast cuts two pieces of fastener 130 to each have a length of one (1) inch and separates each first hook fastener portion 130 a from each second loop fastener portion 130 b. The doll enthusiast attaches each of the two pieces of first hook fastener portions 130 a to the left and right sides of fabric 160 at positions one (1) inch from the top edge of fabric 160. The doll enthusiast then attaches each of the two pieces of second loop fastener portions 130 b to the left and right sides of fabric 160 at positions one (1) inch from the bottom edge of fabric 160. For step 230 shown in FIG. 8, the doll enthusiast then removes head 127 of human figurine portion 120 and positions fabric 160 around torso 123 by sliding the neck of torso 123 through the diamond-shaped hole of fabric 160. The doll enthusiast then presses each of the two first hook fastener portions 130 a against an opposing second loop fastener portion 130 b to secure the ends of fabric 160 one to another.

For steps 235 through 245 shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, the doll enthusiast cuts and removes the paper backing of a selected strip of hook portions 130 a or loop portions 130 b or fasteners 130. The doll enthusiast annularly positions the strips of the selected hook portion 130 a or loop portion 130 b of fastener 130 on outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110 and presses each of the strips against outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110 to adhere each of the strips thereto. The doll enthusiast preferably positions each of the strips approximately one (1) to one and one-quarter (1.25) inches from one another.

For step 250 shown in FIG. 12, the doll enthusiast cuts a piece of ribbon to a length of eight (8) inches for forming waistband 170. The doll enthusiast cuts a one (1) inch piece consisting of a hook portion 130 a and a loop portion 130 b of fastener 130, removes the paper backings therefrom, and separates each one (1) inch piece of first hook portion 130 a from each one (1) inch piece of second loop portion 130 b. The doll enthusiast then adheres the one (1) inch piece of first hook portion 130 a to an end of the eight (8) inch length of ribbon and adheres the one (1) inch piece of second loop portion 130 b to the other end (not shown) of the eight (8) inch length of ribbon. The doll enthusiast then cuts each piece of remaining ribbon into five (5) inch lengths for forming folded ribbons 140.

For steps 255 and 260 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the doll enthusiast presses the ends of folded ribbons 140 against the strips of hook portions or loop portions to adhere the ends of folded ribbons 140 thereto. In doing so, the doll enthusiast presses the first end of a five (5) inch length of ribbon to a strip of fastener 130, folds the five (5) inch length of ribbon in half, and then presses the other end of the ribbon to the same strip fastener 130. In order to impart a “sewn look” to the dress, the doll enthusiast should allow the ends of each five (5) inch length of ribbon to slightly gather when folding. The doll enthusiast attaches folded ribbons 140 to the bottom strip of fasteners 130 first and then moves successively upward. In this respect, the doll enthusiast may create a dress having a layered appearance, with each layer cascading downward.

For step 265 shown in FIG. 15, the doll enthusiast wraps the eight (8) inch length of ribbon around a lower section of torso 123 and presses the one (1) inch piece of first fastener hook portion 130 a against the one (1) inch piece of second fastener loop portion 130 b to form waistband 170. For step 270 shown in FIG. 16, the doll enthusiast positions hat 180 on top of head 127 to assist the doll enthusiast in identifying the portion of hat 180 the doll enthusiast desires to be facing forward. The doll enthusiast then cuts two four and one-half (4.5) inch lengths of ribbon and two one (1) inch pieces of hook and loop fastener 130. After removing all paper backings from the two one (1) inch pieces of hook and loop fastener 130, the doll enthusiast presses the two one (1) inch pieces of hook portion 130 a and loop portion 130 b against the front and rear portions of hat 180 to secure the two one (1) inch pieces of fastener 130 thereto.

For step 275 shown in FIG. 17, the doll enthusiast secures the four and one-half (4.5) inch lengths of ribbon around hat 180 by pressing one end of each four and one-half (4.5) inch length of ribbon to the one (1) inch piece of selected either hook portion 130 a or loop portion 130 b positioned at the front of hat 180 and by pressing the other end of each four and one-half (4.5) inch length of ribbon to the one (1) inch piece of fastener 130 positioned at the rear of hat 180. The doll enthusiast leaves exposed a portion of the outwardly facing adhesive surface of the front one (1) inch piece of hook and loop fastener 130. For step 280 shown in FIG. 18, the doll enthusiast presses model flowers 190 against the exposed portion of the outwardly facing adhesive surface to attach model flowers 190 to hat 180. The doll enthusiast may further decorate the doll in accordance with the desires of the doll enthusiast.

In another aspect of the invention, the doll enthusiast may attach folded ribbons 140 to outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110 in an alternative fashion. As shown in FIG. 2, the doll enthusiast may cut square pieces of second fastener loop portions 130 b and may adhere each square piece to one of folded ribbons 140. The doll enthusiast may then cut strips of first fastener hook portions 130 a and adhere the strips of first fastener hook portions 130 a to outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110. The doll enthusiast may then attach each square piece of second fastener loop portion 130 b to one of the strips of first fastener hook portion 130 a to attach folded ribbon 140 to outer surface 116 of hollow cylinder 110.

Referring to FIG. 19, another embodiment of a doll is shown and designated generally 300. Doll 300 preferably includes a body 305 formed from a single mold and having a hollow cylinder 310 and a human figurine portion 320 formed from a head 327, a torso 323, and arms 325.

Hollow cylinder 310 preferably includes a bottom (not shown) similar to bottom 112, a conical top section (not shown) similar in shape to conical top section 114, and an outer surface (not shown) similar to outer surface 116. The bottom of hollow cylinder 310 may be open or closed. The bottom of hollow cylinder 310 is open in the embodiment of doll 300 usable as a toilet paper roll cover and the bottom of hollow cylinder 310 is closed in the embodiment of doll 300 usable as a bank. In the embodiment of doll 300 usable as a bank, hollow cylinder 310 has an aperture (not shown) for the deposit of coins therein.

Doll 300 preferably also includes flower petals 340 and a plurality of strips of double-sided adhesive tape (not shown) adhering flower petals 340 to the outer surface (not shown) of hollow cylinder 310 to create the appearance of a dress having downwardly cascading portions. Doll 300 preferably also includes a plurality of pieces of double-sided adhesive tape (not shown) adhering human figurine portion 320 to flower petals 340 and to hat 380. 

1. A toilet paper roll cover that appears like a doll with a dress, comprising: a hollow cylinder having an open bottom and a conical upper section; a human figurine portion removably attached to the top of the conical upper section, comprising a torso, arms, and a head; a plurality of first portions of hook and loop fasteners attached to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; a plurality of ribbons loops; and a plurality of second portions of hook and loop fasteners connected to respective ones of said ribbon loops, for removably attaching one of the ribbon loops to the first portions of hook and loop fasteners.
 2. A bank that appears like a doll with a dress, comprising: a hollow cylinder having a closed bottom, an aperture in the closed bottom, and a conical upper section; a human figurine portion removably attached to the top of the conical upper section, comprising a torso, arms and a head; a plurality of first portions of hook and loop fasteners attached to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; a plurality of ribbons loops; and a plurality of second portions of hook and loop fasteners connected to respective ones of said ribbon loops, for removably attaching one of the ribbon loops to the first portions of hook and loop fasteners. wherein the aperture is accessible to insert items therein.
 3. A toilet paper roll cover that appears like a doll with a dress, comprising: a body comprising a hollow cylinder having an open bottom and a conical upper section with a human figurine portion extending from the top of the conical upper section and having a torso, arms, and a head; a plurality of strips of double-sided adhesive tape on the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; and a plurality of flower petals adhering to the double-sided adhesive tape to form the dress.
 4. A bank that appears like a doll with a dress, comprising: a body comprising a hollow cylinder having a closed bottom, an aperture in the closed bottom, and a conical upper section, with a human figurine portion extending from the top of the conical upper section and having a torso, arms, and a head; a plurality of strips of double-sided adhesive tape or the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; and a plurality of flower petals adhering to the double-sided adhesive tape to form the dress; wherein the aperture is accessible to insert items therein. 